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Ohio Bill Would Repeal Time Limit On Rape Cases

Backers of a bill that would repeal Ohio's 20-year statute of limitations for prosecuting rape cases are calling for additional hearings on the measure.

The bill's sponsors, Sens. Nina Turner and Capri Cafaro, say the bill would give law enforcement more time to investigate the crimes.

The measure was introduced in March last year. It is pending in the Senate Criminal Justice Committee.

Senate President Keith Faber told reporters Tuesday that members continue to work on the issue, and he anticipates some action on the topic.

Through the attorney general's testing initiative, Ohio's crime lab has received more than 5,000 previously untested rape kits as it searches for DNA matches to help solve reported sexual assaults. Many kits submitted for testing are between 10 and 20 years old.